Louisville’s downtown wharf is about to get spookier, with the Belle of Louisville Riverboats rolling out two separate Halloween-themed cruises this October — one built for trick-or-treating families, the other steeped in the steamboat’s own haunted reputation. The kid-focused outing sets sail on October 25 aboard the Mary M. Miller, while an adult-oriented ghost cruise departs October 30 on the historic Belle of Louisville herself.
According to WLKY, the Kids Halloween Cruise runs two hours and is packed with activities for all ages, including trick-or-treating, a dance party, and scenic river views. Costumes are optional but encouraged, and food and drinks will be available for purchase onboard. The outlet reports that tickets for both cruises are sold through belleoflouisville.org.
That family cruise takes place on the Mary M. Miller, a vessel that stands in sharp contrast to its sister ship. Unlike the paddlewheel-driven Belle, the Mary M. Miller is propeller-driven and was built with climate-controlled decks, letting it run cruises year-round regardless of weather, according to 6AM City.
A Namesake Who Broke Barriers on the River
The boat’s name carries its own history. The Mary M. Miller riverboat honors Louisville native Mary Millicent Miller, who in February 1884 became the first woman in United States history to earn a steamboat master’s license, per 6AM City’s reporting. A competing business reported that Miller was unlicensed, and Treasury Secretary Charles J. Folger decided it was not improper for a woman to hold the position, according to US Ghost Adventures…